Rensselaer Falls mans condtion improves after industrial accident

CANTON  The Rensselaer Falls man who was critically injured in an accident that left him trapped in a front-end loader earlier this week has seen an improvement in his condition.

Ronald J. Stiles, 61, owner of Process Sand & Gravel, has gone from critical to serious condition, according to a hospital spokesman at Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, where he is being treated.

Mr. Stiles was left fighting for his life Monday when a screening plant collapsed onto the front-end loader he was operating as he unloaded stone and gravel at a quarry in the town of DeKalb. The plant crushed the roof of the cab in which Mr. Stiles was sitting, pinning him against the steering wheel.

Workers on the scene moved the screening plant from the cab by operating two more front-end loaders, in an attempt to relieve some of the pressure on Mr. Stiles.

Gouverneur Volunteer Fire Department used a hydraulic rescue tool to free him from the loader. He was flown by LifeNet helicopter to Upstate Medical University.

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